Prevalence of Orofacial Complications in Iranian Patients with (beta)-Thalassemia Major.

Background: major (beta)-thalassemia is the most common monogenic known disorder in iran and about 15000 persons are affected. the purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of orofacial complications. methods: in this cross-sectional study during 2003-2004, 300 patients with major (beta)-thalassemia referring to 8 hospitals for routine examinations, blood infusion and treatment in cities of tehran, isfahan, sari, zahedan, shahre kord and sanandag were studied. the questionnaires included general information, medical and dental history.results: the prevalence of orofacial complications in major (beta) thalassemia was: saddle nose (67%), maxillary protrusion (49/7%), color change of oral mucousa (41/7%), rodent face (34/7%), deep bite (21/7%), spacing (20/7%), and open bite (8/7%), respectively. there was not any relationship between the complications and sex. most of the patients (91%) were in the first and second decade of life. early diagnosis and blood infusion caused less prevalence of rodent face. the most observed type of occlusion was class 1, 2 and 3, respectively.conclusion: knowing the prevalence of complication can help the dentists to do properly for these patients to solve their problems and improve knowledge of the parents about their children's dental health.